(I am working in a bingo parlour.)
Customer: “I would like a marker pen, please.”
Me: “What colour? Red, or blue?”
Customer: “It doesn’t matter.”
(I give them a blue marker pen.)
Customer: “I would rather have a red one.”
(I work at the information services desk at my local library. My tasks include answering reference questions — which are anything from phone numbers to things that actually require research — putting items on reserve, and assisting patrons with computers, printing, copying, microfilm, etc. This was my most interesting phone call yesterday.)
Me: “[Library,] information services. This is [My Name].”
Patron: “Hello, [My Name], I was wondering if you could pull and hold three items for me?”
Me: “Sure thing! What are you looking for, so I know if they’re here or elsewhere in the library system?”
Patron: “I need three copies of The Diary of Anne Frank.”
Me: “Yup, it looks like we have four available here, so I can definitely grab three for you. May I have your name for the hold?”
Patron: “The name is [Gender-Neutral First Name, Surname].”
Me: “That name actually doesn’t seem to be in my computer here.”
Patron: “That’s not right. That’s my husband, and I have his library card right here in front of me!”
Me: *mentally preparing for the worst* “I’m sorry, ma’am, but I’m actually unable to charge them to someone else’s card. It’d need to be on yours.”
Patron: “Well, maybe his is expired. Can you hold them for him, anyway, and he can renew his card with the license?”
(I have to explain several times that I am unable to place something on hold for someone who is not in the system, and that I cannot hold something for her on someone else’s card.)
Patron: “Well, I don’t know if you can put it on my card. I have overdue books. I don’t know what the fine is, but my name is [Patron].”
Me: “Well, if the fine is under $5, you are still able to check things out. Let me check on that for you.” *sees the patron has $54.99 in fines for two lost items* “Uh… Yeah, ma’am, you have about $55 in fines on your account.”
Patron: *annoyed and snippy* “Well, then you’re going to put it on my daughter, [Daughter]’s card!”
Me: “Ma’am, I’m still unable to charge your items on someone else’s card. You’ll have to pay the fines for your lost items in order to use your library card again.”
Patron: “Well, this is bulls***! I guess I have to wait for forgiveness day so I don’t have to give you greedy people your $55 that’ll probably go toward your coffee, anyway!” *hangs up*
(I’m assuming she didn’t know that our library does not have an Amnesty or Forgiveness Day, and that you’re only exempt from fines on those days if you actually GIVE THE ITEMS BACK!)
Customer: “I want a pound of turkey.”
Me: “Which kind would you like?”
Customer: “I don’t know; you pick. Which one do you like?”
Me: “Well, personally, I don’t like any of them. But then again, I don’t like turkey.”
Customer: “Oh, so you’re saying I’m a bad person because I do like it?!”
Me: “Well, I wasn’t saying that. But now I am.”
(I’m working as a cashier in a pet shop.)
Customer: “Do you guys have prescription [Brand] dog food?”
Me: “I’m really sorry; we can’t carry prescription brand foods as we do not have a vet at this location.”
Customer: “Well, why not?”
Me: “The [Nearby Location] branch has one. I suppose it was just our company’s idea; I’m not sure.”
Customer: “Well, when are you getting one?! That’s ridiculous. I don’t want to drive out there.”
Me: “I don’t know. That would be up to someone much higher up. I suppose if we get enough business we might?”
Customer: “Well, can I order prescription food to this location?”
Me: “No, sorry.”
Customer: “Well. I will just double-check. I’m sure you guys have it.” *walks towards the dog food aisle*
Me: *sighs*
(I work at an ice cream shop that has a special every 31st. This is a conversation I hear between my coworker and a customer.)
Customer: “Do you have [flavor with fudge in it]?”
Coworker: “Yes, ma’am, we do. Would you like a scoop?”
Customer: “Yes. In a cup.”
Coworker: *scoops ice cream and hands it over to customer* “Will that be all tonight, ma’am?”
Customer: “Yes.”
Coworker: “Your total will be [total]. Thank you! Have a great night!”
Customer: *walks back, angry now* “Hey! Does this have fudge in it?!”
Coworker: “Well, you asked for [flavor with fudge], correct?”
Customer: “Yes, but I didn’t know it had fudge in it! I demand a new scoop for free!”
Coworker: “I’m sorry but I can’t give you a new scoop. You have to pay for a new one since it’s so cheap today.”
Customer: *glares and points to the flavor she wants*
Coworker: *finishes transaction* “Have a good evening!”
